Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Jones, Ann Rosenberg, Alex Sanderson, Rebecca Harvey, David Morton, Liz Collins, and Trey Campbell-Simon.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no formal declarations of interest, but Councillor Rory Vaughan said he would leave the meeting during Special Motions 3 and 7 for personal work reasons.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2025 as an accurate record.

7.03pm – RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 October 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

New Year Honours 2026

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor extended the Council’s congratulations to the local people who were recognised in the King’s New Years Honours list:

·       Bill Bailey – comedian, musician and broadcaster from Hammersmith, was awarded an MBE for services to entertainment.

·       Jazz Browne – CEO of Shepherds Bush charity Nubian Life, received a British Empire Medal for her services to the borough’s Afro-Caribbean community.

·       Dominique Allwood – director of Population Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, received an MBE for services to the NHS, recognising 20 years of senior leadership in public health medicine.

·       Val Birchall – Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Assistant Director for Culture, Tourism and Sport, was awarded an MBE for services to public libraries and culture, marking 20 years in the cultural sector.

·       Billy McGranaghan – founder of Fulham-based single-father charity Dads House, has been awarded an MBE.

·       Sir Tristram Hunt – president of the William Morris Society in Hammersmith, has been knighted.

·       Neil Poulter – Imperial College professor based in White City, was awarded an MBE for services to hypertension prevention.

·       Keira Walsh – Chelsea Women midfielder, received an MBE for services to sport, following major success including Chelsea’s domestic treble and England’s European Championship victory with the Lionesses.

The Mayor thanked them for their hard work and service to the community. Speeches were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan and Dominic Stanton.

The Mayor thanked the residents who submitted questions. Questions 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were taken in the meeting. The responses to all questions can be found in Appendix 1.

7.30pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Rowan Ree.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Rowan Ree, Nikos Souslous, Lydia Paynter, Bora Kwon, and Patrick Walsh (for the Administration) – and Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson (for the Opposition).

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.56pm – RESOLVED

That Full Council approved:

1. That the Council Tax Support Scheme in operation in 2025/2026 (included at Appendix 1) shall continue in 2026/2027.

2. That the Council shall apply the annual uprating of allowances, applicable amounts and income, set out in the DWP Housing Benefit circular, to the Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/2027.

7.56pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Rowan Ree.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Rowan Ree, Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, and Frances Umeh (for the Administration).

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.08pm – RESOLVED

1. That Full Council approves for the financial year 2026/27:

8.08pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.08pm – RESOLVED

1. That Full Council approves the 2026/27 Council calendar of meetings in Appendix 1.

8.08pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.08pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council notes the committee membership changes detailed in paragraph 5 and approves the committee appointment in paragraph 6.

8.09pm – The report and recommendations were moved for noting and Councillor Patrick Walsh made a speech on the report (for the Administration).

8.14pm – RESOLVED

1. That Full Council noted the report.

Under Standing Order 16(d)3, Councillor Max Schmid moved that the special motions be taken in the order – 5, 4, 7, 1, 6, 2, and 3. The motion was agreed.

8.14pm – Councillor Zarar Qayyum moved, seconded by Councillor Helen Rowbottom, the special motion in their names.

“This Council agrees that, with the world changing faster than ever before, new measures to support every local young person to find the right pathway for them to pursue their dreams of their future is more important than ever before. The Council therefore welcomes the new and unique H&F Upstream Pathway Bond pioneered by the Labour Administration and thanks all the businesses and organisations who are taking part.

The Council notes that:

1.    The H&F Upstream Pathway Bond was launched as part of the borough’s pioneering industrial strategy, Upstream London, to create stronger, sustainable linkages between education, skills development and local employment opportunities for young residents. 

2.    Upstream London has already attracted £6.3 billion of business investment into the borough since its inception, contributing to the creation of more than 17,200 new jobs in high-growth sectors and making Hammersmith & Fulham the borough with the fastest economic growth in London.

3.    Already, 109 local businesses and 26 schools have shown exceptional commitment to inclusive economic growth by signing up to the Pathway Bond, agreeing to provide opportunities for young people in cutting-edge industries. 

4.    This initiative builds on strong collaboration between the Council, Imperial College London, Imperial College NHS Trust, H&F’s international “Cooperative Growth Partners” and businesses to ensure that residents can directly share in the borough’s economic success. 

This Council believes that:

1. The Upstream Pathway Bond embodies the values of social democracy—harnessing cooperation between the private and public sectors. It is a powerful model of inclusive economic development that opens clear pathways from education through to rewarding local careers for H&F’s young people.

2. Endorsing this programme aligns with the Council’s commitment to a strong local economy, skills development, opportunity-building, and the long-term prosperity of residents.

3. The breadth of business engagement in the Pathway Bond demonstrates the strength of local partnerships and confidence in the Labour administration’s industrial strategy.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Zarar Qayyum, Helen Rowbottom, Frances Umeh, Adam Peter Lang, and Nicole Trehy (for the Administration) – and Councillor Aliya Afzal-Khan (for the Opposition).

Councillor Qayyum made a speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

8.44pm – RESOLVED

This Council agrees that, with the world changing faster than ever before, new measures to support every local young person to find the right pathway for them to pursue their dreams of their future is more important than ever before. The Council therefore welcomes the new and unique H&F Upstream Pathway Bond pioneered by the Labour Administration and thanks all the businesses and organisations who are taking part.

The Council notes that:

1. The H&F Upstream Pathway Bond was launched as part of the borough’s pioneering industrial strategy, Upstream London, to create stronger, sustainable linkages between education, skills development and local employment opportunities for young residents.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.5

8.44pm – Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson moved, seconded by Councillor Jose Afonso, the special motion in their names.

“This Council calls on the Administration to set out the full details of the overspending and delays to the Civic Campus and explain why this has happened.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Liam Downer-Sanderson and Jose Afonso (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 16(d)5, Councillor Lisa Homan moved, seconded by Councillor Stala Antoniades, an amendment:

“Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“… notes that the delay in the completion of the new Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus was due to an accident during which the subcontractor of the contractor dropped one of the main steel supports. Thankfully no one was hurt. As with all such developments, the building site is under the legal charge of the contractor until the works are completed. This accident initiated an immediate shut down of the site while the independent Health and Safety Executive carried out an extensive review. The Health and Safety Executive is the relevant independent national regulator for Great Britain. This is what has caused the delay.

The Council notes that this delay along with Brexit, the Pandemic and Liz Truss’ Fiscal Event, contributed a marginally higher cost than originally envisaged and this has been reported through all relevant channels which included a briefing to the opposition and an exempt report to the borough’s cabinet meeting which included members of the opposition. These slightly higher costs are in line with other building cost changes over this period.

The Council also notes that despite these marginally higher final costs, the overall costs of the new Hammersmith & Fulham Civic Campus is still significantly lower than the controversial Hammersmith Town Hall scheme which this borough’s former Conservative administration had previously saddled the borough with.

The Council also notes that additional to this, and in direct contrast to the Conservatives’ former scheme, the Civic Campus scheme allows the council to:

1. Significantly reduce all its office costs across the borough
2. Make a substantial annual profit that will contribute to the running of high quality services and keeping council tax low
3. Builds into the sky over the old Town Hall Court Yard Carpark therefore leaving other council land for housing, retail, hospitality and rentable office space
4. Rejuvenate the central belt of the borough with:
   1. A five-screen arthouse cinema
   2. A public sky park
   3. Homework space for local children
   4. Affordable work space for local start-up entrepreneurs
   5. A public sky restaurant
   6. Restaurants, cafes, shops and other public facilities
   7. A concert hall
   8. An art gallery
   9. Two new public squares

                                               i.     Unity Square – on the site of the former Town Hall extension

                                              ii.     The Town Square – on the site of the former Town Hall Court Yard Car Park for senior council directors and councillors

Councillor Rory Vaughan left the meeting for this item.

9.27pm - Councillor Rowan Ree moved, seconded by Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, the special motion in their names.

“The Council commends the successful H&F Green Investment, a pioneering £5m initiative that empowers local residents to invest directly in cleaner, greener, community-focused projects. This is the largest Community Municipal Investment of its kind, demonstrating the borough’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

The Council welcomes the transparency, fiscal responsibility, and climate ambition these bonds represent, delivering tangible benefits such as improved energy efficiency, cleaner air, increased resilience against flooding, and reduced carbon emissions while strengthening public trust and civic participation.

The Council commends officers and partners for their work in establishing this innovative model and affirms the administration’s commitment to expanding sustainable investment that builds a fairer, greener borough for all.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Rowan Ree, Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, Wesley Harcourt, Callum Nimmo (for the Administration) – and Councillor Alex Karmel (for the Opposition).

Councillor Ree then made a speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

Themotion was declared CARRIED.

9.54pm – RESOLVED

The Council commends the successful H&F Green Investment, a pioneering £5m initiative that empowers local residents to invest directly in cleaner, greener, community-focused projects. This is the largest Community Municipal Investment of its kind, demonstrating the borough’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

The Council welcomes the transparency, fiscal responsibility, and climate ambition these bonds represent, delivering tangible benefits such as improved energy efficiency, cleaner air, increased resilience against flooding, and reduced carbon emissions while strengthening public trust and civic participation.

The Council commends officers and partners for their work in establishing this innovative model and affirms the administration’s commitment to expanding sustainable investment that builds a fairer, greener borough for all.

9.54pm – Councillor Frances Umeh moved, seconded by Councillor Max Schmid, the special motion in their names.

“This Council notes:

That the national theme for Black History Month 2025 is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, reflecting the resilience, strength, and enduring contributions of Black communities across the UK. 

That Hammersmith & Fulham is a richly diverse borough, and our schools, community organisations, and cultural institutions play a vital role in amplifying Black history, heritage, and voices.

This Council believes that Black history is British history, and celebrating it strengthens our shared identity and social cohesion. That the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” encourages us to not only honour past achievements but also to commit to power, representation, and dignity for all in our community.

This Council resolves to:

1.    Promote and support Black History Month 2025 events across the borough, including the open-air King Street exhibition.

2.    ?Work with our schools and cultural partners to embed Black history in curricula and public programmes beyond October, ensuring sustained engagement and learning.

3.    ?Celebrate local Black leaders, artists, educators and organisations through Council communications, awards, and recognition, showing pride in our community’s heritage.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Frances Umeh and Max Schmid (for the Administration).

The guillotine fell at 10pm. Councillor Frances Umeh made a short speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

Themotion was declared CARRIED.

10.02pm – RESOLVED

This Council notes:

That the national theme for Black History Month 2025 is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, reflecting the resilience, strength, and enduring contributions of Black communities across the UK. 

That Hammersmith & Fulham is a richly diverse borough, and our schools, community organisations, and cultural institutions play a vital role in amplifying Black history, heritage, and voices.

This Council believes that Black history is British history, and celebrating it strengthens our shared identity and social cohesion. That the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” encourages us to not only honour past achievements but also to commit to power, representation, and dignity for all in our community.

This Council resolves to:

1. Promote and support Black History Month 2025 events across the borough, including the open-air King Street exhibition.

2.    ?Work with our schools and cultural partners to embed Black history in curricula and public programmes beyond October, ensuring sustained engagement and learning.

3.    ?Celebrate local Black leaders, artists, educators and organisations through Council communications, awards, and recognition, showing pride in our community’s heritage.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.